Expert: Thomas Sabalaske DO - 9/5/2011

Question
Doctor, my question is that I have noticed a lot of thinning of my collar bone on both sides of my neck. I'm an 81 year old  woman. Is this normal for my age? Is there a anything I can do to help my condition?
Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Ilene

Answer
  Hi Ilene and thanks for writing.  Online I can't make any individual diagnoses, but I can give some general information that may point you in the right direction for help.  It is not normal for people's collar bones (clavicles) to thin out as we age.  I feel your next point of evaluation should be at your primary care physician's office for an examination to see if they find any abnormality of your bones or the soft tissues around them.  Your physician should have your DEXA bone density test results available to them so they could comment on how your bone density is doing which would also be important.  Good luck.  Dr S.